Most drivers who receive traffic tickets get numerous citations for a single stop. Seatbelt tickets are one possibility.

Even though most people these days use seatbelts without a second thought, laws are still in place to enforce this particular safety precaution. Essentially, seatbelts must be in good repair and everyone in the car must wear them.

New Jersey law on seatbelts

New Jersey traffic and motor-vehicle law states that adults and most children must wear seatbelts. For kids ages 8 to 18, it is the driver's responsibility to make sure everyone buckles in. All passengers must follow this rule, regardless of where they are sitting.

There are special cases, of course, that other case laws and statutes put into better definition. However, the spirit of this law is relatively clear: Safety is a priority.

Progress in the Garden State

People with an interest as to the effectiveness of this law-enforcement initiative may check the New Jersey State website for Click It or Ticket mobilization reports. This mobilization is a two-week program in which police agencies specifically target seatbelt enforcement. Data are available from 2007 to the most recent reports.

To summarize, seatbelt use has risen significantly over the years, up from around 60 to 80 percent in 1996 (depending on the report) to nearly 95 percent recently. Police officers are issuing fewer citations during the mobilization.

These types of law-enforcement initiatives might contribute to public safety. Whether or not that is true, the initiatives certainly generate tickets that threaten the privileges and livelihood of New Jersey drivers. Convictions for traffic offenses have a variety of unpleasant consequences, including increases in insurance rates, DMV points and so on. Luckily, most people have options apart from simply paying off the ticket and accepting the conviction.